Splash of white at the State of the Union made my heart soar

I write to you today talk about the color white. Often a symbol of purity and innocence, it appeared this week on the national stage as a symbol of solidarity.

I’ve read articles referencing this in negative tones, and I want to express what seeing it meant to me, a local resident of Mesa, Arizona.

The field of white gives me inspiration and hope. It speaks to me of all the beautiful colors and diversity of the people, women and men, reminding us that our freedoms are not free.

Just as we have fought to keep our borders secure and to keep our country strong, we have fought for each right that we have as United States citizens.

From the early days of the Revolution we fought to be a free nation.

From the early days of suffrage we fought for the right to vote.

And from the early days of each movement for acceptance, whether it be for race or for gender identity, there has been a fight ongoing in the United States of America.

To see the color white and the people wearing it as anything less than a tribute to those who fought, undermines the very character of those who have made our nation great.

So let’s wear white.

That’s it! Time for a tutorial for all of you impossible left-lane hogs

For our part-time residents who may not have gotten settled in, I want to address left-lane hogs.

Here in Arizona the left lane is for passing — otherwise known as the fast lane. If you are not passing, Move over.

Please, don’t get in the the left lane and use the other slow car to your right as your own personal pace car. Some of us are not retired and actually have places to get to.

If you’re afraid to pass a large truck,

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pull in behind it and let the rest of us show you how it’s done.

Remember, there is no age limit for Uber.

I’m not a fan, but Nancy Pelosi was not being snarky with her clapping

Much is being made of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s supposed “snarky, sarcastic” applause behind President Trump at the State of the Union speech.

I never thought the day would come when I would defend speaker, but I have to say, that’s not how I saw it.

What I saw was Pelosi agreeing with Trump and wanting him to know it by applauding louder almost right in his ear.

Anyway, that’s how I saw it. I would give her the benefit of the doubt on this one.

Don’t sock away state revenues; use them to solve big problems

Since the State of Arizona has taken in a record amount of money this year, instead of just storing it all in the rainy day fund, how about spending some on the needs of our state.

I agree we need a good rainy-day fund but our state needs a lot of other things also. More money for education and new voting machines are just an example. We don’t need a law saying no more drop-off mail in ballots. We need new machines that can keep up with our increased population.

That is what slows the count down, not the drop-off ballots. It is a fact that the machines are too old to keep up with the increased number of ballots.

So I ask Gov. Ducey to spend some of the excess on these two problems.

Maybe we’re building a wall to keep the bullets from flying out

Tens of thousands Americans die of gun violence every year. Yet the president wants to build a wall for his base to “keep Americans safe.” Misplaced priorities?

You bet.